Polio: So close to eradication and complacency.
The world is tantalizingly close to no child ever again being paralyzed by polio, but in any race, the last few hundred meters are the hardest. The challenge is to keep donors, policymakers and stakeholders focused until polio is gone for good while simultaneously asking them to plan to make sure that this ancient scourge can never make a comeback.
GOAL
TGenerate press and social media interest in a disease that has almost disappeared from both the world and the living memories of most people in advanced economies.
SECTOR EXPERTISE
Health
The Work
Over the course of three studies (Africa, Asia, and further African countries), FINN secured and conducted in-country interviews with over 130 malaria experts, policymakers, and policy influencers in countries throughout Africa and South Asia.
The results of the study were widely disseminated through various channels. Launch events were held in Nairobi, Dakar, and London over two days, while press events were held in Bangkok and Brazzaville. An online press event was also held. Media relations were established with European, Anglophone African, and Francophone African media, and Op-eds and by-lined articles were placed in Africa, Europe, and the USA. The content was created, and community engagement was facilitated across social media, with geo-targeting and translation of content into local languages. Finally, global health professionals involved in malaria in specific countries were hyper-targeted.
